Johns River Valley Camp & Retreat Center · Est. 1936 Talk to us 828-387-5736
The forested valley of the Johns River seen from above
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Collettsville, North Carolina

Getting here.

The camp is 20 minutes off NC-90 in Caldwell County, about 30 minutes from Lenoir and 90 minutes from Charlotte. The last few miles are rural — download directions before you lose signal.

Directions

6211 NC-90, Collettsville, NC 28611

From Charlotte (approx. 1 hr 45 min): take I-85 North to US-321 North toward Hickory and Lenoir. At Lenoir, continue north on NC-90 through Collettsville. The camp entrance is on the right, about 6 miles past the Collettsville post office.

From Asheville (approx. 1 hr 45 min): take I-40 East to NC-181 North toward Pineola, then NC-90 East toward Collettsville. Watch for the camp sign on the left.

From Boone (approx. 1 hr): take US-321 South to Blowing Rock, then NC-181 South, then NC-90 East.

Before you drive in

Cell service drops for the last 10–15 minutes of the drive, and there is no reliable GPS once you are on NC-90 in the valley. Open the map link below and start navigation before you leave the highway. If you get lost, the camp office phone still reaches a landline: 828-754-7067.

The road in is paved, but the last stretch is narrow and winding. Carpool if you can. Parking is available outside the lodge and near the cabins — do not drive onto the grass.

Find us

  • Camp address6211 NC-90
    Collettsville, NC 28611
  • Mailing address355 Idlewood Dr.
    Kannapolis, NC 28083
  • Camp office828-754-7067
  • Cell / director828-387-5736
  • Emailkevin@jrvc.org
  • Office hoursMon–Fri, 9–5

Two addresses

Mail goes to Kannapolis. People go to Collettsville. Please do not drive to the Kannapolis address — it is the administrative office, not the camp.

Visit before you book

Tours, work days, and open houses.

We would rather you see the site than take our word for it. Call ahead and we will meet you at the lodge.

Property tours

For groups considering a retreat, a tour is the fastest way to know if the space fits. Weekdays are easiest; we will make most other times work.

Open house

Each spring we open the camp for families to walk the grounds, meet the staff, and see the cabins before registering for summer.

Work weekends

Volunteers are welcome spring through fall. Come for a Saturday, bring your group, and see the place while helping maintain it.

Send a message

What can we help with?

We answer email within one business day. For anything time-sensitive — a camper who is already on site, a van full of people looking for the entrance — call instead.

  • Registration questions and campership requests
  • Retreat dates, rates, and availability
  • Mission trip planning for your group
  • Volunteering, donations, and legacy gifts
Email Call the camp